CASESTUDY

At A GlAnce
Company: logitech Ireland Services URL: www.logitech.com Location: cork, Ireland Industry: Developer of high-end mice, digital pens and other pointing devices

Challenges

Having Objet internally is a big bonus Being able to spontaneously print a design has really changed the entire process flow of our product design
Kevin Forde Design engineer, cork Design center

> logitechs High-end Retail Pointing Devices department needed a way to quickly, accurately and cost effectively test new ideas while ensuring maximum confidentiality

Solution

> the eden 3D Printing System from Objet

Results

logitech Services save design costs and improve confidentiality thanks to Objets eden 3D Printing System
the Design center at logitech Ireland Servises is a development hothouse for logitechs popular high-end retail computer mice, digital pens, digital presenters, remote controls and other pointing devices. In seeking to improve their design process, the design team researched its 3D printing options in depth. early on, they discovered that the technology and solutions available at the time (in 2002 and 2003) did not meet their stringent requirements. they found the complexity and lack of accuracy of most systems, along with their high demands on operator time and skills, disappointing, and so decided to wait for a more complete solution. It was clear to us that fit, form & function tests were essential to our design process and so we absolutely had to have a system that could produce highly accurate, high-resolution parts, said Dennis OKeeffe Director cork Design center, logitech Ireland Services.

> turnaround time on prototype parts reduced from three days to one day. > Faster, more collaborative process flow from concept to final design > Significant savings on the cost of changes particularly at the fit/form/function testing stages > Improved confidentiality > time and cost savings on fixturings for measurement control

After two years of research, logitech selected Objets eden330 3D printing system, choosing the Objet system for its high quality models and because of the variety of materials it supports. In particular Objets Fullcure tango line of flexible, rubber-like materials captured the design teams interest as it would enable them to model the feel as well as function of the grip elements of logitechs electronic pointing devices.

Eden330 chosen for its accuracy and materials

the eden330 was installed in August 2004. For the past few years, it has enabled the logitech design team to cost effectively and efficiently explore creative ideas, precisely test fit, form and function, reduce the cost of design errors, and preserve the confidentiality of its products in development. Having Objet internally is a big bonus, said Kevin Forde, Design engineer at logitech. external prototyping of parts takes three days, but now I have my solution within one day. the ability to do unofficial prints when we spontaneously send a print for design has changed the entire process flow of our product design.

Putting 3D models to work at every stage

logitech uses the eden330 throughout the design process.

> concept modeling First, the concept model is printed, enabling close collaboration with the marketing
department. Often, the team prints multiple variations of the same model, enabling all stakeholders to evaluate the various aspects of the product, such as thumb and grip positioning and button locations. components.

> High-level design review Objet models are used to perform rough fit and form testing of the different > lower-lever design review More in-depth fit and function tests are performed. All elements, such as shell,
buttons and rollers, are produced on the eden330 and fitted; the buttons and optical laser beam are also tested for function. the PcB is then fitted into the model, along with all components.

> Production initiation the 3D files are sent for manufacture in logitechs manufacturing plant. the products
are manufactured and assembled and then units are sent back to the cork Design lab for testing. the Objet prints are used here to build fixtures to help in the debug process, saving cost on expensive machined fixtures. Kevin Force noted: Our products are getting more and more complex, requiring more accurate fit testing. Being able to print fixturings, which typically need to be altered two or three times, has saved vital time and costs. Whereas fixturings were commonly made of metal and outsourced at a high cost, we can now do this in-house.

Using 3D modeling to support the creative process and ensure confidentiality

logitech constantly strives to introduce real innovations to the market. Using the eden330, designers are able to try out their ideas free from the cost and time constraints imposed by traditional outsourced prototyping. We dont need to think of the hassles that come with the standard prototyping and outsourcing of parts, said Kevin Forde. Using the eden330, we can print any part deemed necessary. that fundamentally encourages people to try different design solutions.

Keeping creative ideas confidential until a product is launched is critical in logitechs highly competitive market. commented Kevin Forde: We live in a very aggressive market environment, with a lot of competition, so reducing the number of contacts with the outside world is indispensable for our products success. Having Objet in-house helps us reduce exposure.

About Objet Geometries

Objet Geometries Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing develops, manufactures and globally markets ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3-Dimensional printing systems and materials that utilize PolyJet Polymer Jetting technology, to print ultra-thin 16-micron layers. The market-proven Eden line of 3D Printing Systems and the Alaris30 3D desktop printer are based on Objets patented office-friendly PolyJet Technology. Connex500 is based on Objets PolyJet Matrix technology, which jets multiple model materials simultaneously and creates composite Digital Materials on the fly. All Objet systems use Objets FullCure materials to create accurate, clean, smooth and highly detailed 3-dimensional models. Objet Geometries Ltd. Headquarters 2 Holtzman st., Science Park, P.O Box 2496, Rehovot 76124, Israel T: +972-8-931-4314 F: +972-8-931-4315 Objet Geometries Inc. North America 5 Fortune Drive Billerica, MA 01821 USA T: +1-877-489-9449 F: +1-866-676-1533 Objets solutions enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development cycles and dramatically shorten time-tomarket of new products. Objet systems are in use by world leaders in many industries, such as automotive, electronics, toy, consumer goods, and footwear industries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan. Founded in 1998, Objet serves its growing worldwide customer base through offices in USA, Europe and Hong Kong, and a global network of distribution partners. Objet owns more than 50 patents and patent pending inventions.

Objet Geometries GmbH Airport Boulevard B 210 77836 Rheinmnster Germany T: +49-7229-7772-0 F: +49-7229-7772-990

Objet Geometries AP Asia Pacific Unit28, 10/f, HITEC 1 Trademart Drive Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong T: +852-217-40111 F: +852-217-40555

Objet Geometries AP Limited China Rep Office Rm1220, CIMIC Tower, 1090 Century Blvd, Pudong Shanghai 2000120 P. R. China T: +86-21-5836-2468 F: +86-21-5836-2469

info@objet.com www.objet.com
2009 Objet, Quadra, QuadraTempo, PolyJet, FullCure, SHR, Eden, Eden250, Eden260, Eden260V, Eden330, Eden350, Eden350V, Eden500V, Job Manager, Objet Studio, CADMatrix, Connex, Connex500, Alaris, Alaris30, PolyLog, TangoBlack, TangoGray, TangoPlus, VeroBlue, VeroWhite, VeroBlack, VeroGray, Durus, Digital Materials, Polyjet Matrix and ObjetGreen are trademarks of Objet Geometries Ltd. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.